Device for exhibiting pictures.



G. L. WILLOUGHBY & J. JAGOBSON.

DEVICE EOE EXEIBITING PICTURES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.. 21I 1907.`

954,555. Patented' Apr. 12, 1910.

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UNITED STA-rus rnruurorrrcn CHARLES L. wILLoUGHBY Jenn ascensori, or NEw YORK, N. 1r.'v

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i Specication oi'. Letters ratent.- Patented Application led September 21, 1907. Serial No. 393,907.

Be it known t at we, CHARLES Wm' LoUoHBY and J oH`N J AcoBsoN, citizensof the. United States', and residents of New York city, in\vthe countyof New York and State of New York, have invented a certain new anduseful Device for Exhibiting Pictures, df which the following is aspecification.

- This invention relates to improvements m devices for exhibitinpictures.

' In the drawings;- lgure 1 is a plan view of a device .constructed inaccordance with, this invention wherein the distortion screen is shownin its closed position. Fig. 2 is a ysimilar view wherein the distortionscreen is shown as withdrawn from before the picture. Fig. 3 is a crosssection of the construction as shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5 and 6 aredetail views exaggerated to show the shape in section of various formsof the screen. Fig. 7 is a detail view of the screen;

and showing thereon in light lines a distorted view of the picturevlewed. y The object which the present invention has in view is toproduce an 'amusement device of the character herein described wherein.by the interposition of a movable cover or screen, the features of apicture are caused to appear as moving in distortedv fashion, when thesaid screen is moved.

With this object in view the device embodying the invention as shown inthe dr`awings consists in a box-like case, A, adapted to receive andhold the photographs, C. The box is-provided at the end W1th a slide,A2, for the admission of .light lto the interior of the box. This slidemay be transparent or clouded. The sides of the boxat the up er edgearegrooved to receive the cover, g1. This cover is constructed of anysuitable material, and is provided at the upper end with a glass screen,B, suitably secured in the cover, A.

The screen, B, is formed of trans/arent material, such as glass, and isso ormed that'it is provided with one orv more lenslike projections orconcavities in one or both Apr. 1251910.

ferred form, where ther transition vfrom l'view to view is intended tobe subtle.

As indicated the lenses may be produced i in the form of parallelcorrugations ,or oneor more waves in the surface producing varyingthicknses in the screen, B. As shown inthe drawings, thesecorrugationsor curved surfaces maybe produced on both sides of the screen, B.

With this construction, the operation of the invention is as follows:The photographs or pictures, C,in quantities of one or more are placedin posltion within the box, A. The cover,-A1, being withdrawn to permitvthis placement. The cover is then moved into position where the screen,

B, rests directly above the picture, C. TheI endV of the box carryingthe slide, A2, is turned toward the light and -the person using thedevice approaches his face to the screen, B, -until his eye is in theproper focus. The features of the picture will now be distorted to agreater or lesser extent by reason of the plurality of lens-likesurfaces on thescreen, B. By now moving the cover slowly the distortionchanges, producing a seeming movement of the features and in many casesvery comical and amusing, and interesting transitions, the transitions-seeming due to the movement of the features.

Any suitable means may be provided for moving the cover, A, with thescreen, B, without varying the scope of this invention. As the picturesare exposed, the cover, A, is wthdrawnandthe uppermost picture is thenremoved from the group and placed light above the picture; a movablescreen com rising ya transparent plate of irregular thicn of differentfocus, and guides wherein said screen is moved laterally.

3. A device for exhibiting pictures comprising a receptacle for thepictures to be esses to produce lens-like areas therein vlewed; 'anopening adapted to admit light` above the picture; a screen to coversaid picture formed from transparent material, and` having a corrugatedsurface; and 'guides to support said screen, and wherein the said screenis moved laterally.

4. A device for exhibiting pictures comprising a box adapted to receivepictures, and havin an inlet in the side thereof to admit light a ovethe pictures; a slidable cover for said box having a transparent screenhaving a corrugated surface to rest above picture, and grooves formed 1nthe side of said boxto govern the movement of said cover. "v

5. A device of the character described comprising a box rectangular inform adapted to serve as a receptacle for photographs, a cover for saidbox located at a predetermined distance from the bottom thereof andadapted to be moved on a plane parallel to' the bottom of said box, anopening in said cover, a lens fitted in said opening comprising a plateof transparent material havin corru ations formed therein, and means orladmltting light within said box between the bottom thereof andthe underside of said lens.v

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this19th day of September A. D. 1907.

' CHARLES L. WILLOUGHBY. f JOHN JACOBSON. Witnesses: Y

WM. PAx'roN,l

FRANK M. ASHLEY.

